Whether you’re fine dining or licking chimichanga sauce off your arm by the roadside, you’ll quickly understand why Arizona has foodies flocking to experience its unique blend of native desert flavours and cowboy classics, with a dash of colonial Spanish influence and Mexican flair. 

Add in a burgeoning wine scene, some of the world’s most dramatic and picturesque dining settings and a generous side of adventure, and you have a destination that belongs at the top of your culinary bucket list. 

Here are some experiences to whet your appetite. 

Experience an unexpected culinary capital 

A foodie oasis in the heart of the Sonoran desert, Tucson is one of just two cities in the US to be honoured with a prestigious UNESCO City of Gastronomy title. With over 4000 years of rich culinary heritage, the state’s second-largest city buzzes with the energy of chefs, craft brewers and street food vendors. It’s the place to try desert-grown delicacies like cactus fries, burritos stuffed with native tepary beans and pink prickly pair margaritas. Don’t leave without indulging in the guilty pleasure of a bacon-wrapped Sonoran hotdog or a crispy serving of frybread – an indigenous staple of puffed-up fried dough, either loaded with taco toppings, or drizzled with honey and cinnamon.

Top nosh under dark skies

Parts of Arizona are recognised for having some of the darkest and clearest stargazing skies in the US, setting the scene for heavenly dining experiences under the stars. Pick a table on the terrace at Cielo, Scottsdale, where a ‘farm-to-table-to-sky’ philosophy takes fresh local ingredients to the top of the rugged McDowell Mountains. For an experience that will really leave you star-struck, book a stay at the Under Canvas Grand Canyon glamping resort, and finish your nightly meal with s’mores around a campfire.

Dine in a room with a view

Arizona’s stunning scenery and impressive cuisine make a memorable pairing – especially when you’re overlooking one of the world’s seven wonders. Historic El Tovar has treated the likes of Teddy Roosevelt and Sir Paul McCartney to its sweeping Grand Canyon views for over a century, and offers comforting southwestern food in a cosy rustic setting. More scenic dining is on the menu at Mariposa, a lofty Latin-inspired grill with expansive windows to take in the burning sunsets of Sedona’s striking red rock country.

For a memorable meal in Phoenix, head to Different Pointe of View on the pinnacle of North Mountain. Here, elevated dining comes with soaring views over the city’s twinkling lights and dramatic desert landscape. Geordie’s Restaurant and Lounge in Wrigley Mansion is another top pick, part of a majestic hilltop estate built by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley in 1931.

Kayak to a winery

The number of wine producers in Arizona has more than trebled over the past 15 years, with its high altitudes, dramatic temperature fluctuations and mineral-rich soil giving rise to beautifully balanced, flavour-rich drops that are every bit as exciting as their wild desert setting. The Verde Valley, in the state’s centre, is one of Arizona’s key wine hotspots. Join the Water to Wine kayak tour down the Verde River for a refreshing twist on your sipping and swilling, and stroll through quaint historic towns like Old Town Cottonwood, where tasting rooms, galleries and boutique beckon. 

Taste nostalgia on Route 66

A classic burger and fries just tastes better when it’s served in a wild west town along the world’s most famous desert route. Cruise with a rocking soundtrack and the wind in your hair to the quirky Roadkill Cafe in Seligman, try a wild buffalo burger in Oatman, a town known for having more donkeys than people, and chew in time with 50s juke box tunes amid the kitsch of Mr D’s Route 66 Diner in Kingman. Further along the route in historic Winslow, Southwestern cuisine comes with a slice of art deco splendour at The Turquoise Room, part of the beautifully preserved La Posada hotel.

For travellers seeking a destination that can soothe the soul, while setting your explorer spirit alive, Arizona awaits. From epic adventure, to glorious food and wine, and world-class wellness, the magic of Arizona ticks every box. Discover more here.

This article was sponsored by Arizona Tourism.